I don't know what to say about today, the opposition says we are radical, crazy, mean spirited and a whole list of other adjectives. However, what I witnessed today warms my heart and makes me proud to be an Illinois Gun owner. Today I took my 5 yr old daughter with me so I could share my first IGOLD with my best friend ( I know kids need parents not friends, but it's the truth and I don't mind being a parent when she needs it) Anyways, she started feeling a little under the weather on the last leg of the bus ride, and by the time we got to the convention center she was ready to sleep. She slept through the entire thing even through all the clapping and cheering. When it was time to march, she was really feeling ill so I carried her the 8 blocks to the capitol bld. No sooner when we got there, she vomited on the lawn. I found our Host our very own Abolt and He went out of his way to make sure the bus driver came back to pick us up early, and the bus driver even took me by a walgreens to get her something for her stomach. Once everyone was back on the bus, the people in the back were kind enough to give up their seats so my daughter could sit next to the bathroom. Eventually I struck up a conversation with the gentleman sitting in front of me, He was getting off at Litchfield. There was talk of stopping there for a few min so people could hit the tractor supply because when we stopped there on the way to pick people up some of us noticed a sweet deal on some bb guns, and one gentleman was planning on purchasing several for a youth group. I made the comment in passing that I hoped that there was a pink one left, because my daughter deserved one for being such a trooper today. He offered to go in and buy it so I could stay on the bus. I respectfully declined, and when we got there, I asked my daughter if she would be ok while I ran into the store. A very nice lady offered to keep an eye on her so I went in and purchased her bb gun. Not 4 min after I got back the gentleman that was sitting in front of me returned to the bus with a pink bb gun. He said I didn't see you get off the bus and wanted to make sure she got something good out of the day ( Or something to that effect I was so shocked at his generosity I was stunned) This man wouldn't return it or take anything, and I thanked him, but in my shock I forgot to ask his name. So kind Sir who exited at Litchfield. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN! And I want you to know that it will be put to good use. The neighbor ( the guy I rode with) has a daughter that is about my daughters age so we payed it forward and she now has her first bb gun, If you do read this, send me a message, and next time I'm in that area, I will buy you a drink and shake your hand. To everyone one else, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your patience with me and my sick daughter, and thank you for making us feel like family.

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence." - Jim Watkins

" Never argue with an idiot, passers by won't be able to tell you apart "- Grandpa

I don't know what to say about today, the opposition says we are radical, crazy, mean spirited and a whole list of other adjectives. However, what I witnessed today warms my heart and makes me proud to be an Illinois Gun owner. Today I took my 5 yr old daughter with me so I could share my first IGOLD with my best friend ( I know kids need parents not friends, but it's the truth and I don't mind being a parent when she needs it) Anyways, she started feeling a little under the weather on the last leg of the bus ride, and by the time we got to the convention center she was ready to sleep. She slept through the entire thing even through all the clapping and cheering. When it was time to march, she was really feeling ill so I carried her the 8 blocks to the capitol bld. No sooner when we got there, she vomited on the lawn. I found our Host our very own Abolt and He went out of his way to make sure the bus driver came back to pick us up early, and the bus driver even took me by a walgreens to get her something for her stomach. Once everyone was back on the bus, the people in the back were kind enough to give up their seats so my daughter could sit next to the bathroom. Eventually I struck up a conversation with the gentleman sitting in front of me, He was getting off at Litchfield. There was talk of stopping there for a few min so people could hit the tractor supply because when we stopped there on the way to pick people up some of us noticed a sweet deal on some bb guns, and one gentleman was planning on purchasing several for a youth group. I made the comment in passing that I hoped that there was a pink one left, because my daughter deserved one for being such a trooper today. He offered to go in and buy it so I could stay on the bus. I respectfully declined, and when we got there, I asked my daughter if she would be ok while I ran into the store. A very nice lady offered to keep an eye on her so I went in and purchased her bb gun. Not 4 min after I got back the gentleman that was sitting in front of me returned to the bus with a pink bb gun. He said I didn't see you get off the bus and wanted to make sure she got something good out of the day ( Or something to that effect I was so shocked at his generosity I was stunned) This man wouldn't return it or take anything, and I thanked him, but in my shock I forgot to ask his name. So kind Sir who exited at Litchfield. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN! And I want you to know that it will be put to good use. The neighbor ( the guy I rode with) has a daughter that is about my daughters age so we payed it forward and she now has her first bb gun, If you do read this, send me a message, and next time I'm in that area, I will buy you a drink and shake your hand. To everyone one else, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your patience with me and my sick daughter, and thank you for making us feel like family.

Awwwwww.

One thing I noted today, was all the kids I saw. High school age kids. I wonder if some home-school group went to igold.

"Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD!
Why would you have the day of the LORD?
It is darkness, and not light,"

"The Supreme Court has decided that the amendment confers a right to bear arms for self-defense, which is as important outside the home as inside." -Moore v. Madigan, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, December 11, 2012

guys let me tell you, the neighbor girl called to thank Natalie for the bb gun, and it was PRICELESS! you would have never thought Nat was sick at all today, she got very excited about teaching her friend how to shoot, and they are making plans already. It was the icing on the cake of an emotional roller coaster of a day, and I choked back the tears of pride when I heard her tell her little friend " first thing you need to know is this is not a toy, make sure you don't touch it unless your dad helps" Then you gotta make sure you keep your finger off the trigger untill you are ready and always point it safely. " She is already asking if she can go back next yr if she feels better by then LOL What a challenging yet wonder full day!

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence." - Jim Watkins

" Never argue with an idiot, passers by won't be able to tell you apart "- Grandpa

No apologies needed about what happened with that young lady. Most all of us are parents and have gone thru the same sort of things. Children do feel our excitement and sometimes they just get overloaded and things happen.

Your daughter just had a trip with a caring DAD she will never forget. I am proud of both you and your daughter.

And a tip of my hat to ALL of the bus drivers that helped make this a day to remember. My driver got on the road at about 4 30 this mourning and does not expect to get back to the yard till around 10 PM.

Uncle Harley

As one of my jobs for next year I have been told to get all of the parents with children at the very front of the parade. These young folks are the reason we are marching.

No apologies needed about what happened with that young lady. Most all of us are parents and have gone thru the same sort of things. Children do feel our excitement and sometimes they just get overloaded and things happen.

Your daughter just had a trip with a caring DAD she will never forget. I am proud of both you and your daughter.

And a tip of my hat to ALL of the bus drivers that helped make this a day to remember. My driver got on the road at about 4 30 this mourning and does not expect to get back to the yard till around 10 PM.

Uncle Harley

As one of my jobs for next year I have been told to get all of the parents with children at the very front of the parade. These young folks are the reason we are marching.

Thank you, and that's awsome! If you need help, let me know. I heard one thing that stuck out today that I had never quite heard it put that way before. Freedom is one thing that each generation must fight for, it can not be inherited. As the anti's would say. " let's do it for the children!"

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence." - Jim Watkins

" Never argue with an idiot, passers by won't be able to tell you apart "- Grandpa

I'm proud to have shared the day with Harley and Natalie. While I'm sure that the little girl just had a spot of a bug, the HUGE strawberry covered in chocolate that she tried to eat at lunch (part by consumption and part by adsorption!) might have contributed just a touch to her upset tummy! Sweet little girl.

Harley negected to tell you that they started the day by presenting me with a large box of Hostess Cupcakes based on an off the wall remark I made here on a thread a few days ago!! Thank you Natalie!

Glad she's feeling better, she has a great Daddy that will take care of her no matter the "cost" to him.

AB

Are you a member of the ISRA?? If not, why not?? Join over 18,000 other Illinois gun owners in the fight for your rights!!!

The Roman Empire fell due to a large, corrupt government, overspending, an overextended military, insecure borders, and the illegal immigration of Goths, barbarians (anyone who was not educated), and religious fanatics. Sound familiar?

"..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.."--Samuel Adams

that thing was HUGE! I was so jealous it looked VERY delicious ! Damn diverticulitis! She didn't finish it though and that should have been my first tip off that things were about to go awry! Thank you for the kind words!

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence." - Jim Watkins

" Never argue with an idiot, passers by won't be able to tell you apart "- Grandpa

LMAO! You know.................... I said something very similar to this to my wife when we got home. I said most days when I watch live floor coverage, I want to vomit, other days I want to go take a dump on the lawn! LOL I did see a lady with a dog today

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence." - Jim Watkins

" Never argue with an idiot, passers by won't be able to tell you apart "- Grandpa

I'm told his name was Adam Evans, he is the commander of the Hilsboro VFW and member of the Litchfield National guard. Here is a pic of Nat with her gun, she is feeling a little better today.

As I was reading your story I thought to myself that I bet I saw you with her. I distinctly remember seeing you holding her and thinking to myself poor thing is either sick or just tuckered out. It was when we were at the steps getting ready to go in that I saw you. What a trooper!

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks"
-Thomas Jefferson-

Now two flags fly above my land that really sum up how I feel. One is the colors that fly high and proud the red, the white, the blue. The other ones got a rattle snake with a simple statement made, don't tread on me, is what it says and I'll take that to my grave
-Aaron Lewis-

As I was reading your story I thought to myself that I bet I saw you with her. I distinctly remember seeing you holding her and thinking to myself poor thing is either sick or just tuckered out. It was when we were at the steps getting ready to go in that I saw you. What a trooper!

Yeah, Her mom called while we were on the steps and that is when she broke down and started crying she REALLY wanted her momma then.........she feels good enough now she's done got herself in trouble LOL

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence." - Jim Watkins

" Never argue with an idiot, passers by won't be able to tell you apart "- Grandpa

To be able to protect the ones that can not is what this is all about.

One year I would like to see 5-6 rows deep of folks with the young ones walking at Molly Bs heels. Then bring on ALL of those smiling ladies that do a great job of leading the parade.

But this is Mollie Bs parade and I am just another DIRTY OLD MAN with a dream.

Now there's an idea, after all, how many times do we hear "It's for the children" from the other side??

AB

Are you a member of the ISRA?? If not, why not?? Join over 18,000 other Illinois gun owners in the fight for your rights!!!

The Roman Empire fell due to a large, corrupt government, overspending, an overextended military, insecure borders, and the illegal immigration of Goths, barbarians (anyone who was not educated), and religious fanatics. Sound familiar?

"..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.."--Samuel Adams

Uncle Harley, I've had the honor of meeting Abolt, together with MollyB and a few others from the board, at a Springfield meeting with the infamous TVandermyde. And I believe that you couldn't have found a better person to assist you through difficult times than Abolt. I've sought his advice more than once here on the board - and I'm sure that I will again.

That said, I'm sorry that your little girl had such a difficult time during her first IGOLD and I hope she doesn't shy away from attending next year. That picture of her holding her first shooter definitely belongs in the family photo album!

"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles." — Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle

When we were leaving there was a couple in front of us with all 5 of their kids. I would guess them to be from ages 8-mid or late teens.

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks"
-Thomas Jefferson-

Now two flags fly above my land that really sum up how I feel. One is the colors that fly high and proud the red, the white, the blue. The other ones got a rattle snake with a simple statement made, don't tread on me, is what it says and I'll take that to my grave
-Aaron Lewis-